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"The time has come for valor. The time has come for Justice.

We stand my friends divided. We are divided by race and culture, but I sense not by heart for even if hope has faded I tell you that hope still remains, as long as we are true. The elves seek order in this world, but it is an order without choice for free folk. I have seen our Haven and though there is a peace upon the land it is the peace a tomb. The spark is all but faded from the eyes of those we have left behind, but is not entirely gone for even now there is hope.

What can take our hope? Is it elves or beast? Nay! For even at the end of all hope I have come to see that good remains, good that elves cannot touch.

There is good even here, and righteousness in our friendship. I ask that we put aside all argument, join together and face this menace.

But how? Speak true!"

Robert waits

Zeira comes down the stairs of the inn

Well...I'm not really anybody around here but let's take a look at what we are dealing with. An army of elves has taken Final Haven, one of the most valuable resources in Phantarra. They also have a number of people who they have to manage so they don't have a rebellion. They also plan on attacking Caldonia. That will probably spread their forces thin. When they move out to attack Caldonia from Haven, we use the portals to go to Haven and start a rebelion. With their forces spread thin they won't be able to fight off the rebels. Then the elves won't have anywhere to run and we can take the rebels from Haven and attack the elves. Can Caldonia hold off the elves long enough?

A man in the back of the room who has already been sensed for magic and questioned relentlessly about his motivations for being there, about whether he was good or evil, about why he seemed to stare at the coin purses on people's belts, about his family, his homeland, and once his sexual orientation, thought this group of adventurers was quite paranoid though, he assumed, reasonably well intentioned.

Anyone who had been listening or questioning would know his name is Mortimer, who assumed by the mere fact that he was still allowed to drink and talk with everyone that either his intentions were clean or he was simply very good at what he did.

He was a traveler, and while his heart remained youthful, the miles his feet had seen had bent his back and slowed his step. upon Robert's speech, Mortimer stands gingerly and slightly tipsy, having not realized how long the interrogation and likewise the drinking had gone on. With a raise of his glass, he smiled and said, "I'll drink to that!" Then he sat, wobbled, nearly fell, but regained his posturing and chugged the rest of his drink.

*Korrigan is sitting with his feet up at one of the tables near the door when Robert enters. As Robert is speaking he tilts his hat back far enough to see. Once Mortimer is stable he takes a swig to clear his throat and speaks.*

"I think Zeira just gave you part of your answer, friend. He's been 'round here 'bout as long as I have, but has it in his mind that he's not really anybody around here. You want these folks to join together, I'd say you'd best figure out why some of 'em think they're nobodies and some of 'em think they're somebodies."

*From a different corner of the Inn sits a red haired woman. She hasn't said anything for a few moments as of trying to take everything in and opting to choose her words carefully. She look intently at Ziera.*

Ah so you propose all of you deserting Caldeonia in it's time of need. Are you saying qoH, you'd do that, run the risk of Caldonia falling and retake Haven instead of something like oh how about first we defeat the elves in Caldeonia and then retake Haven.

King Galen wants us to work together to beat back the threat that is the elves and from all accounts they will be here in approximately a year. What we need to do is cut off the information they might have about here and the support they might receive from factions and allies they might have here.

One would think because he was so kind enough to give you a place to actually call a home, that'd you'd defend this place. It would be the honorable course of action and one of the reasons why he wants everyone to work together. Good thing even those that have left here to become a leader somewhere else hasn't forgotten King Galen's or Esmerelda's hospitality and is willing to send part of his forces to help defend Caldeonia.

Robert listens to those who speak and those who remain silent, then nods once. Right, but I fear there is more to work here than war and victory.

The elves have taken Haven, but why? Do we truly believe it was for its vast natural resources? If resources are so bad then why feed the peasants better than they have ever seen?

Pause

That is correct, the people may lack freedom, but their bellies are full.

Nay I do not believe we have seen the full intentions of these elves and I fear something even more sinister is at work.

Come let us pull together chairs and tables and speak the things that must be spoke. Let us figure out this mystery before it is too late.

*Rhul turns to Aurora*

I don't believe he speaks of abandoning Caldonia to their own defenses. He speaks of striking the Elven army at a weak point when it has extended and committed itself fully. It's not cowardly at all, but a proven battle tactic. Actually, if intelligence gathered proves we could do so, it could be quite viable.

If it were possible, the elves would be fighting a war on two fronts: here in Caldonia, with it's protective mountain walls, and with our strike force at their base of operations in Haven, possibly strengthened by rebels from within. Any damage that could be done inside Haven lessens what they can bring against Caldonia, providing that tactic is even possible, of course.

The best tactic is not always to strike the nail soundly on the head while screaming in it's face. That is why we must consider all our options before we act.


*Nods to Robert*

Please, go on. Most of my knowledge of the Elves proper comes from books that are hardly up to date, and I was never in Haven, sadly. I can say that while I have seen some hopeful glimmers, we as a community seem to be as fragmented as any you would think to find since the cataclysm.

Thank you Rhul. Aurora, I'm sure you and I can put aside our differences so that we can solve the problem.

*Zeira pulls up a chair and sits at the table*

Maybe there is something at Haven they need. Some kind of source of power or possibly something they lost during the cataclysm. But why attack Caldonia? Are they still looking for that something? Or are they being manipulated?

What do you guys think?

*Aurora shrugs grabbing a chair.*

I'm just stating what any Caldeonian would say listening to what your statement entailed Ziera. Don't blame the messenger for what is being interpreted.

*Looks at Rhul*

Any strike to weaken the elves should be made BEFORE they advance on Caldeonia. As I stated before, what we need to do is keep a look out for possible allies who might sell themselves out to the elves and become their spies. Diving our forces when the time comes, unless it is a damn good plan would be tactically foolish.

I'm also stating that if such actions have not been done when the time comes every able bodied individual will be needed here...not Haven but here.

This place may not be some of your primary concerns, but it is mine for this is my home outside of Coldridge. King Galen took me in a long time ago and when the time comes I will be in the battle fighting for Caldeonia.

*Looks at Ziera*

As to why attack Caldeonia, why not. The elves from what all everyone has told me has a simple goal, control the world. Bring their type of order to a chaotic mess. I mean were you all not listening to the elven embassador? Caldeonians as a whole are defient, dwarven-like, and well most of us know a thing or two about fighting. Anyone with half a brain would see Caldeonia and the King as a threat.

Eventually the elves will head north to where other dwarves are, the Bloodfang, tribe, anyone who would oppose the elves and their form of order.

Does that answer your question enough for you Ziera?

As for why they took Haven, it could be a simple place to establish another base encampment for them. From what I gather from Esmerelda it had or has some nice resources a possible ideal point to reinforce the troops on their march to control everything in site.

*Looks at Robert*

Humm...if you would like me to make a theory outside the box maybe Haven had some sort of magical layline or in laymans terms a place of origin for magic or something. I mean elves are all about magic, it's a part of them.

Just a thought.

*Looks at Korrigan*

There is a keg in back for you. It's a small keg, but if you wouldn't mind pooring me a drink from it I would appreciate it for we may be here awhile.

A strong base is the most likely reason for certain. I'm thinking we should investigate, see if there is more to it. The laylines would be a good place to start.

Zeira pull's a book out of his bag and opens it on the table. Inside the book there is a roughly sketched map of the area and some notes on other pieces of parchment

Why are they waiting to attack though? It would make more sense to attack now while we are unprepared. I think they took Haven because there is a something there...something dangerous. Now they plan on using it to attack Caldonia. But either they haven't found it yet, don't know how to use it, or they have to fix it. Even if it's not that we still need information about what their up to.

Zeira flips through the book a couple pages back and forth

Maybe they plan on harnessing the laylines to power a weapon? I really don't know that much about magic. Can someone do something like that?

*Atrum sits quietly at a table drinking from a mug listening. He furrows his brow, quirks an eyebrow in a curious manner or simply shakes his head side to side at times.

*Looks at Ziera*

The layline was a THEORY. Unless someone with sense magic like myself takes a look at the area that cannot be confirmed.

In terms of harnessing said power it is possible. I'm not sure how they would do it or anything, but it is possible.

*She pauses*

In terms of why they are waiting it could be a simple matter of waiting for their reinforcements to arrive. Either that or they have a plan to weaken Caldeonia ahead of time before they attack so they need all that to come into play. Also, it could be a matter of scouting to see what all exactly they are up against.

lZeira looks over at Atrum

Atrum...you know something don't you? The other day you came in here dressed like an elf. Were you spying on them? If you have anything you can add it's appreciated. You are one of the only people here that are actually from Haven so you probably know the most about it. Enlighten the rest of us.

*Aurora glances over*

I was just about to invite you to pull up a chair and see if you could enlighten us about Haven and all. Well especially now since apparently you have been undercover as an elf.

All I know I can do is throw out theories and tactics that could be used. Some actual information on what you've seen would be most helpful.

*Looks at Korrigan*

Is Mohdri around?

*Atrum looks increasingly irritated*
Whatever happened to discretion, you people would probably hand over the key to the gates of Caledonia if you had them. There is a place to talk of espionage and battle tactics and the PUBLIC Inn is not it.


I don't know anything more than what Robert, Traz, Laggy and the others have brought to town. But I do know that the elves shiny veneer is not so shiny underneath the surface. Besides, if other people are going to feel more a part of this town then they need to step up and do so.

One thing though, if we keep harping on our differences it will be hard to feel like a community. Whether Caldonian, Gendarman, villager, Havenite or traveler that happens upon our community. We all are facing destruction or acquiescence. Accusations and differences of opinion are what has kept these peoples seperated since the day I first came in to town. I don't expect that it will ever end, it's the nature of things, but it can be muted so we can actually work together.